Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-09-14
GOVERNOR WATERMAN.

GOVERNOR WATERMAN.
r. w. Waterman has become Governor
Of California. Because he has had little ex-
perience in statecraft, there are those who
look forward to weakness and mismanage-
nent on his part, now that the weighty
trustof the Chief Magistracy is thrust upon
him. We know, as do all the people that
outside the circle of Governor Bartlett's
family, none more deeply regret his death
than Governor Waterman. He has not
desired to take upon him the cares of
State. He has no political ambition what
ever to promote. He has prayed that the
life Of Governor Bartlett. might be spared,
and that the burden of the high Office be
not put upon his shoulders. But it has
come to pass that he must take up the duty
succession to the station has imposed upon
him, and those who have counted upon his
want of experience, will now find that they
have moderated the capacity Of the man.
He is OF the sturdy order of men whose
conservatism partakes somewhat Of the
rugged character that. by partisan preju-
dice, might be interpreted as of stubborn
order. But Governor Waterman's con
servatism We believe, is that of the honest
man who takes his steps with
caution and slowly, and never turns
backward on the path of duty
IN the face Of obstacles. His processes of
thought may be found slower than those of
men more experienced in public life, but
he will go straight and to the center of
purpose. If purity Of motive, singleness
OF heart, sterling good sense, business cap
acity, experience in encounter with diff
culties in long life of untiring industry
if force Of character, sound jud gment, self
reliance and the courage to do what is
right irrespective Of friend or foe, can
serve man in serving the people, then,
unless we entirely mistake the man, the
State Of California has in its new Gov
ernor one who will reflect honor upon the
Office, and manage the grave trusts COM
mitted to him with straightforwardness
good business sense and unfailing courage.
lie is 2 just man, lover Of fair play and
open-dealing at all times and under all cir
cumstances. He is a generous man, with a
heart that melts before human suffering.
and responds simultaneously to worthy
woe, while it is steeled against hypocrisy,
for he penetrates the disguise of pretense
with ease. We know of manifestations of
this big-heartedness and generosity that if
published to the world would cause him to
blush like girl and command for him the
praises of all men.
We do not believe Governor Waterman
Is the man who can be used-Iet no one
make mistake on that head. If any have
aught to ask of him they should not seek
to approach him by indirection, but meet
him as man to man with the thought upon
the lip, and expect a response as honest as
1t viii be irreyocable.
We do not believe he is the man who
will be subseryient to bosses or cliques
but that he will have the interests
of the whole people closely at
heart. He will not, as we Judge
him, lend himself to advance private am
bitions or conserve the ends of mere politi-
cal schemes. He is party man from con-
viction, but, above all, is an honest one
determined to enjoy his own respect, and
viii be Governor, not for party, bnt for the
people.
Unless all means of estimating human
character fail, it may be written now that
no dishonorable act viii tarnish his guber-
material career, and that he will go out of
office as he comes in, 'clean-handed and in
dependent. He assumes the duties of his
new trust under embarrassing circum-
stances, and is the target of criticism by
the whole State. He will enter the Capt.
tai conscious that the eyes of nearly a mill
ion people are upon him, and that his
every step will be scrutinized with unspar-
ing keenness But we believe he will in
spire full confidence, and unless the repu-
tation that precedes him is false, and what
those say of him who best know him is
untrue, and he abandons the rule that has
been the standard of his life, he will serve
in the Office with no higher ambition than
to do his whole duty and well, and leave it
clean-handed, with self-respect and enjoy
ing the esteem of his fellow citizens.